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IN TIMES OF ADVERSITY, members of the Church Of Christ may go to the house of worship to pray to God, Who promised that He will hear His people when they call to Him in His house.
Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the Church’s Executive Minister, emphasized this biblical message in the recent dedication to God of the new house of worship of the Local Congregation of Ilugin, Ecclesiastical District of Metro Manila East.
The construction of houses of worship is an undertaking of utmost sacredness for the Church members, for they firmly believe that doing so brings delight to God; and so, the Church continues fulfilling this endeavor, even amid crises and afflictions in this world. Just from the time Brother Eduardo Manalo took on the mantle of leadership, the Church, as of this writing, has already built 3,801 new houses of worship—540 during the Covid-19 pandemic—around the world.
In his homily, the Executive Minister reminded the Church members that God’s lovingkindness is enduring. However, it is incumbent upon them to lead a life in accordance with God’s will to be deserving of His love. The Executive Minister also taught that experiencing sufferings should not dishearten the true servants of God, but instead must lead them to further understand God’s commandments. Through trials and tribulations, He evermore teaches His people to seek His guidance and, by doing so, they become more resilient, faithful, and obedient to His teachings.
Brother Eduardo Manalo reassured the Church members that, even in the darkest moments, they will continuously receive the Lord’s guidance. It is a source of solace and comfort for them to know that God is always present in their lives. That is why they must never stop worshiping God, as it opens the doors of the bountiful blessings He lays in store for them. By dedicating themselves to prayer and worship, they draw God’s goodness into their lives. Brother Eduardo Manalo also exhorted the Church members to go to the house of worship with their respective families, even outside of the scheduled worship service days, so they could pray together inside God’s house, especially in times of dire need. He admonished them to never throw away their confident trust in the Lord no matter what happens.
Brother Gerino S. Lalata led the opening prayer before the Executive Minister’s homily. Brother Romer D. Galang led the closing prayer, and Brother Bienvenido C. Santiago said the benediction.
Always have faith in what God can do
Ilugin, Pasig City
By Angeline Jaurigue
Sister Loida Acabado, 66 years old, and all the brethren in the Local Congregation of Ilugin were full of joy when the Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo officiated at the dedication of their new house of worship, which coincided with the congregation’s 41st anniversary.
Being a choir leader, she witnessed how her fellow Church officers and the brethren took part in preparing for the construction of their house of worship. The construction started almost at the height of the pandemic. It was not easy for people to go out of their homes due to the risk posed by Covid-19. But the brethren have always firmly believed that God will protect them.
During the preaching of Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, he encouraged the brethren to always fulfill their duty, to worship our beloved God with all their hearts, and to not neglect the worship service no matter what hardships they may face in the future, as they are truly near to receiving God’s promised salvation. The Executive Minister also reminded them that as God has once again proved His goodness by blessing them with a magnificent house of worship, all the more should they be inspired and diligent in serving Him.
Sister Loida is one of the senior Church officers in their congregation. When she heard the preaching of Brother Eduardo Manalo, she remembered the recent test of faith that her family experienced. Before the pandemic and prior to the construction of their house of worship, her husband was afflicted with an illness—he had a stroke. His attending physician even said that he might become bedridden. But Sister Loida’s family fervently hoped for God’s mercy.
“Our family prayed to God and begged Him to have mercy on us, to give my husband strength to move and stand up again so that he could go to the house of worship and fulfill his Church obligations again,” Sister Loida shared. Although they were given a bad prognosis on the condition of her husband, instead of wallowing in despair, she and her family decided to entrust her husband’s condition to God. “Every after attending worship service, we would ask for a minister or deacon to pray for him and anoint him with oil,” she said. With such conviction and firm hope on what God can do, they were not disappointed—God worked a miracle.
“After a month, he could already walk,” she happily said. It is clear to her and her family that without God intervening and listening to their prayers whenever they are in the house of worship, her husband would not be in better condition today.
“When you ask for your life to be extended, God will give it to you. You just have to completely rely on Him and always be a good servant,” she continued.
As what she would always give as advice to the Church’s youth whenever given a chance: “Love your Church duty and serve God with dedication; we should always prioritize God. Always remember to lean on our God and have faith in Him. And there is nothing that He can’t give us, as long as it is in accordance with His will. But we really have to face trials with courage. These trials also teach us life lessons. And we should always unite with the Church Administration, obey them, and rely on what God can do. He will not forsake us.”
God’s promises will never be broken
San Leandro, California
By Gladylen Glindro-Flores
In commemorating its 15th anniversary of establishment, the Local Congregation of San Leandro was blessed to be included through livestreaming in the worship service officiated by the Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, at the dedication to God of the new house of worship of the Local Congregation of Ilugin. Sister Rosita Ramirez-Ebido, a choir member since 1948, was among those who performed their duties during the sacred occasion.
The Executive Minister conveyed to the attendees that the Church Of Christ has already reached more than 165 countries and territories at present. By God’s grace, the Church continues to grow as more people join the Church every day.
From her childhood, Sister Rosita has seen the expansion of the Church, including its consistent need for more places of worship to accommodate the growing number of its members. When she was still a Children’s Worship Service (CWS) member, the worship services in her former congregation in Capalacuan, Zambales, Philippines were held in their home. When her family moved to Olongapo City, they volunteered the half of their property to be utilized for the place of worship. Eventually, their congregation grew and so, they volunteered the use of the entire lot. Her family has seen the expansion of the Church and how God has never forsaken His people.
Sister Rosita, although born and brought up in the Church Of Christ, like many other members, has also experienced tribulations in life. Through the lesson preached during the worship service, she was reminded that despite the trials in life, she should always continue serving the Almighty God.
“I have experienced many trials, but I know that these will come, so I should just carry on with my life,” she said. Despite the everyday troubles in life, she continued performing her duties as a choir member, which also served as her source of strength.
“I have never thought of stepping down from my Church duty because the hymns always inspire me,” she said. She also firmly believes that the words sung in the hymns are etched in the hearts of the Church members. The hymns also convey their promises to God, and so she said, “We should always be true to our promises to God.”
This, too, is what she imparts to the other choir members. Sister Rosita promises to always continue holding on to the words of God. Like her father who passed on his strength of faith to their family, she has passed on her strong faith to her children and grandchildren. They are among the recipients of God’s grace. She further said that she had the strength and power to surmount the trials she went through in her life because she always remembers what the Church Administration always teaches, one of which is to not go back on one’s promises to God to serve Him at all times. It is also God Who continues to sustain her and her household throughout the years. Filled with hope, she expressed what she heard from the Executive Minister, “God’s promises will never be broken.”
Hindi malilimot ng Diyos ang Kaniyang pangako
Vega, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija
Sinulat ni Charisse Tolentino
Ang Iglesia Ni Cristo mula noon hanggang ngayon ay pinupunô ng Panginoong Diyos ng mga pagtatagumpay. Hindi lamang nadaragdagan ang bilang ng mga kaanib, mga maytungkulin, at mga lumulusong sa ministeryo, kundi walang tigil din ang pagpapatayo ng malalaki at magagandang gusaling sambahan. Kasama rin sa tagumpay ng Iglesia ang pananatili sa tunay na pananampalataya ng mga lokal nito sa paglipas ng mahabang panahon.
Kasama na rito ang Lokal ng Vega sa Distrito Eklesiastiko ng Palayan City, Nueva Ecija na gumugunita sa ika-90 anibersaryo ng pagkakatatag nito. Nagkapalad ang lokal na ito na masaksihan sa pamamagitan ng livestreaming ang pagsambang pinangasiwaan ng Tagapamahalang Pangkalahatan, ang Kapatid na Eduardo V. Manalo, sa pagtatalaga ng bagong gusaling sambahan ng Lokal ng Ilugin, Distrito Eklesiastiko ng Metro Manila East.
Kinasabikan ng mga kapatid mula sa Lokal ng Vega ang pagdalo sa nasabing pagsamba. Sa maagang oras pa lamang ay napuno na ang kanilang dako at dama sa mga kapatid ang paghihintay sa biyayang dulot ng pagtitipon, lalo’t ang mangangasiwa ay ang Tagapamahalang Pangkalahatan.
Sa ginawang pagtuturo ng Namamahala, dama ng mga kaanib ang kaniyang pagmamahal at pagmamalasakit sa buong Iglesia. Itinuro niya ang marapat na pagtitiwala sa Panginoong Diyos anuman ang maging sitwasyon ng kanilang buhay.
Sa pagsisimula ng kanilang lokal ay talagang iilan pa lamang ang kaanib. Nakaranas sila ng mga pag-uusig at pagsubok, ngunit hindi nila iyon inalintana. Nagawa ng mga naunang kaanib dito na manindigan sa kahit anong kalagayan ng buhay kung kaya’t sa lokal na ito ay bumangon ang maraming mga maytungkulin at dumami ang bilang ng mga kapatid, na ang marami sa kanila ay nakatala na sa Lokal ng Macapsing at sa Lokal ng Bongabon na sa kasalukuyan ay kinaroroonan ng tanggapang pandistrito.
Isa sa mga mabubuting halimbawa ng nagtiwala sa Diyos at nanghawak sa Kaniyang dakilang magagawa ay si Kapatid na Teresita M. Tolentino, may 76 taong gulang. Mula sa kaniyang kabataan, siya ay naging guro sa Pagsamba ng Kabataan (PNK) at pangulong mang-aawit sa loob ng 46 na taon, mula 1964 hanggang 2010. Buong puso ang kaniyang pagtupad ng tungkulin, sa lahat ng pagkakataon, anupa’t handa siyang magsakripisyo kung kailangan. Tumatawid ng ilog noon at naglalakbay nang malayo makatupad lamang ng kaniyang tungkulin—gayon niya pinagtalagahan ang kaniyang tungkulin.
Sa pagtupad ng tungkulin at paglilingkod sa Diyos ay dumanas din siya ng mabibigat na mga pagsubok. Isa na rito ang pagpanaw ng isa sa kaniyang mga anak. Bilang isang ina ay napakasakit na pagdaanan ito. Gayunpaman, nanatili pa rin ang pagtitiwala niya sa Diyos at pagmamahal sa kaniyang kahalalan, at lalo siyang nagtalaga sa paglilingkod sa Diyos. Kahit na tumanda na, sukdulang naging makakalimutin na at kahit na sariling pamilya niya ay may pagkakataong hindi na niya makilala bunga ng pagkakaroon ng Alzheimer’s disease, nanatili sa alaala niya at nais pa rin niyang gawin ang pagpunta sa kapilya, pagdalo sa pagsamba, at pagtupad ng tungkulin.
Mula pa sa pagkabata ay nagtiwala siya sa Panginoong Diyos at minahal ang kaniyang pagkahirang bilang kaanib ng Iglesia Ni Cristo. Ang kasiglahan at pagtitiwala niyang ito na itinuro niya sa kaniyang mga anak ang siyang patuloy na itinataguyod ng kaniyang pamilya.
Katulad ng itinuro ng Namamahala, hindi dapat pumayag ang mga lingkod ng Diyos na mawala ang kanilang mapagtitiwalaang pananalig sa Panginoong Diyos. Kung dumaan man sila sa kahirapan at iba’t ibang mga pagsubok o kahit ano pa man ang maging kalagayan ay lalo nilang ilalapit ang kanilang sarili sa Panginoong Diyos at lalo silang magtatalaga sa kanilang pagka-Iglesia Ni Cristo.
Magtiwala sa magagawa ng Diyos
Calatrava, Negros del Norte
Sinulat ni Deicel Ele
“Nagpapasalamat ako na ako’y Iglesia Ni Cristo sapagkat mayroon tayong Diyos na Siyang malalapitan sa panahon na tayo ay dumaranas ng mga pagsubok sa buhay,” sabi ni Kapatid na Rhea P. Raganas, isang diakonesa sa Lokal ng Calatrava, Distrito Eklesiastiko ng Negros del Norte. Ang kanilang lokal ay nagkapalad na makasama sa livestreaming ng pangangasiwa ng Namamahala.
“Sinabi ng Namamahala na sa ating Ama tayo magtiwala. Kung may sakit ay magpapahid ng langis at magpanata,” saad niya. Sinubok ng isang karamdaman si Kapatid na Rhea sa panahon na tutupad siya ng kaniyang tungkulin. Linggo noon ng madaling araw. Masama na ang kaniyang pakiramdam sa kaniyang paggising subalit gumayak pa rin siya upang tumupad ng tungkulin. Pagdating sa kapilya ay humiling siya ng panalangin at pagpapahid ng langis. Bago ang takdang oras ng pagsamba ay bigla siyang nahilo at nasuka. Mataas na pala ang kaniyang lagnat. Dahil dito ay hindi siya nakatupad. Subalit dumalo pa rin siya sa pagsamba.
“Pagkatapos ng pagsamba ay nagpapahid akong muli ng langis sa kapuwa ko diakonesa at nagpanata sa Ama na sana ay pagalingin niya ako sa aking karamdaman upang makatupad muli ng aking tungkulin,” sabi niya. Nang siya ay gumaling ay nagpakonsulta siya sa doktor at doon niya nalaman na siya ay may astigmatism at hyperacidity. “Noong ako ay gumaling ay nanalangin ako sa loob ng kapilya upang magpasalamat sa Ama dahil pinagaling Niya ako,”
Sumunod nilang naging suliranin ay nang ang kaniyang anak ang magkasakit ng amoebiasis at nagpabalik-balik sila sa ospital. Pero hindi sila iniwan ng Ama dahil patuloy silang nanalangin sa Kaniya.
“Pinahiran ko ng langis ang aking anak at nagpanata kami na pagalingin ng Ama ang aking anak. Hindi kami binigo ng Ama,” ayon kay Kapatid na Rhea. “Totoo talaga ang sinabi ng ating Namamahala na sa ating Ama tayo magtiwala dahil Siya ang higit sa lahat na makatutulong sa atin,” dagdag pa niya.
Dahil sa mga kabutihan ng Ama ay nangangako siya na mas lalo siyang magpapakasigla sa pagtupad ng kaniyang tungkulin. Kasama ang kaniyang buong sambahayan, patuloy silang makikiisa sa gawaing pagbubunga kahit dumanas pa ng mga pagsubok sa buhay dahil may Ama na handang tumulong sa Kaniyang mga lingkod.
